Washington/Tehran: The fierce war between Iran and the United States, which began on February 28, shows no signs of abating. When launching its offensive against Iran, the US administration likely never anticipated that this conflict would drag on for so long and prove to be so costly. Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, the US President had claimed that the Iranian people were now free and would soon elect a new government; however, reality appears to be quite the opposite.
In the wake of Khamenei’s passing, the streets of Iran were flooded not with democracy, but with a surge of mourning and outrage. The US strategy of “regime change” has proven to be a complete failure. Ali Khamenei has now been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. This transition has made it abundantly clear that Iran is in no mood to yield, and the conflict on the battlefield could well drag on for even longer.
On the economic front, too, this war is proving to be a heavy burden for the United States. According to CBS News, Kevin Hassett—an advisor to President Trump—has revealed that since the commencement of the joint strikes on February 28, the US has already poured approximately 12 billion US dollars (roughly 1,200 crore Indian rupees) into the flames of this war. In Washington, serious questions are now being raised regarding this escalating military expenditure and the objectives of the war.
Reports emerging from the battlefield are deeply disturbing. According to an Al Jazeera report, more than 1,400 people have lost their lives in Iran since the attacks first began. Meanwhile, 13 US soldiers have also been killed in this conflict, and over 140 have sustained injuries. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that attacks could become even more aggressive in the coming days, raising fears that the humanitarian and economic toll is likely to rise further.
The opposition, too, has now begun to criticize the policies of both Biden and Trump. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concern, stating that the United States has plunged into this battlefield without any concrete estimates or an exit plan. As the costs of the operation continue to rise, unease is growing among U.S. lawmakers regarding the direction of the conflict and its future consequences.
